SUMMARY:Viable counts were made in three media of material from the crop, gizzard, duodenum, ileum and caeca of chicks. Groups of birds 2, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16 and 30 days old were studied. The results showed that a balanced gut flora is established one day after feeding. An indication of the actual development of the flora was obtained in chicks 4 hr after feeding. The relationship between the flora at different ages and that in newly‐hatched chicks before feeding is discusse
展开▼